Raiders studs and duds in 33-13 loss to Rams

The Oakland Raiders’ 2018 debut started with a bang but ended with a whimper. Coach Jon Gruden and the offense controlled time of possession in the first half, and prospective studs dotted the playing field.

By the fourth quarter, some of those players had flipped the other way and earned dud status.

Here’s the good and bad among player performances Monday night from the Raiders.

Studs

Jared Cook
TE

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Tight end Jared Cook helped set up the Raiders opening touchdown of the night with a 45-yard catch and run. He also trucked Raiders nemesis cornerback Aqib Talib for a big first down late in the opening half.

He finished the night with 180 yards on nine receptions. Many of those yards came in garbage time. But the majority of his gains were impactful, although quarterback Derek Carr had trouble getting the ball to anyone else.

Also, Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips adjusted in the second half and put Talib on the big tight end, who was being covered by a short safety early on. Cook is no doubt a weapon the Raiders can draw on in the future, however.

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